Page 81 of Merciless Union
The only company I have is the merciless, cruel, reflection of myself staring back up at me.
CHAPTER19
Arina
Maxim keeps his distance from me over the next few days. I don’t know what he did with the painting but I haven’t seen it around.
His dismissal of my hard work hurt me so much, that even days later, I’m still reeling from it.
All the kindness he had been exuding over the past few weeks were just gone in one instance and I have no idea why. Maxim hasn’t reached out to explain his quick change in mood and I haven’t had the courage to ask. My heart already feels broken. I couldn’t take anymore by searching for answers.
So, while Maxim keeps his distance from me, I keep my distance from him.
Finally, I get so fed up being in this penthouse.
“I’m going to see my father,” I announce to him over breakfast the next day.
He nods, not even trying to object. It’s like he doesn’t even care for me at all any longer. Did he get too vulnerable and got scared? Or is he just that much of an ass?
“Bring the guard with you,” he finally says, taking a sip of his coffee.
“Fine.” I get up, trying my best to mask the hurt I feel at his lack of attention.
Just look at me, I want to plead. But Maxim keeps his gaze focused on the newspaper in front of him. I guess I’m no longer his weakness if he’s so insistent on shutting me out.
I finally turn away from the table, hoping he’ll call out for me, but no sound escapes him.
After getting dressed and convincing the grumpy guard to take me, I arrive at my father’s house an hour later.
“Arina,” he says, pulling me into a hug. At least he’s happy to see me. I wrap my arms so tightly around my dad that he actually winces. “Sweetheart, is something the matter?”
I pull back. “Just missed you is all.”
“Well, come in, come in.”
We get situated in the living room. Being back here instantly makes me feel better. The warm smell of vanilla that always seems to resonate in throughout the house, the traditional furnishings, my father’s presence – everything Maxim’s penthouse doesn’t have.
“How have you been?” Dad asks, leaning back in his seat.
I shrug, picking at the blanket laying over the couch. “Maxim and I… things are just weird between us right now.”
“Do I even want to know?”
I smile, looking up at him. “Maybe not. Just marriage troubles.”
He nods. “Well, that’s pretty typical at some point, especially in an arranged marriage. I’d imagine marrying for love makes things a little bit easier.”
“But you and mom loved each other.”
“We did. But not at first. We started off in an arranged marriage just like you. But we found love eventually. And I loved her for thirty years. And even after her death, I still love her.”
My eyes prick with tears but I hold them back. “That’s beautiful, Dad. I never knew that you too had marriage troubles when you first started out. I’ve only ever seen you two in love.”
“That’s because,” he says, pointing a finger at me, “we figured everything out before we brought you into this world. So, by the time you were born, your mother and I could give you all the love in the world, because we both knew we’d always have each other’s backs.”
I sigh, rubbing my temple. “I’m not sure Maxim will ever have my back. I thought things were getting better between us and then just like that,” I snap my fingers, “he changes on a whim. And now I feel like we’re back at square one again.”
“Maxim is similar to his father. A proud man, one that doesn’t show his emotions easily. But unlike his father, I sense a kindness in Maxim. It’s faint but it’s there. Just give him more time to nurture it. I’m sure he’ll come around eventually. And I know things are stressful for him right now. Building an empire will do that to you.”
